ELECTROSTATIC FORCE MICROSCOPY ON FERROELECTRIC-CRYSTALS IN INERT-GASATMOSPHERE

An electrostatic force microscope operated in inert gas atmosphere has been used to investigate the domain structure of ferroelectric crysta ls. The electrostatic force observed in the inert gas atmosphere is co mpared to that measured under ambient conditions. The domain structure of guanidinium aluminum sulfate hexahydrate has been revealed in the dynamic as well as in the static noncontact operation mode of the elec trostatic force microscope. We have studied the dependence of the doma in contrast on the applied external electric field in the inert gas ch amber and under ambient conditions. The sign of the domain polarity co uld be identified in the static operation mode of our microscope.